Lancashire Green Tourism Project

22 April 2009

on behalf of Forest of Bowland AONB

Lancashire aiming to become a green tourism county

A new three year project is helping to develop Lancashire as a green tourism county. 

The Project is designed to help tourism businesses and organisations that wish to operate in a more environmentally friendly manner to achieve the Green Tourism Business Scheme accreditation and work together to develop sustainable tourism activities and to promote Lancashire as a sustainable tourism destination.

Fifteen businesses will receive Green Tourism Business Awards on Thursday 23rd April 2009 after meeting a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas, like energy and water efficiency, waste management and biodiversity.  The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) is a national sustainable tourism certification scheme. It is the largest and most established scheme of its type in the UK.

The Lancashire Green Tourism Project is being delivered by the Forest of Bowland AONB team, in partnership with Lancashire County Developments Ltd and Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, with support from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Lancashire County Councillor Mary Wilson says: “These awards are an important step towards achieving our aim of making Lancashire a genuinely green tourism county.  Sustainability and green issues are becoming increasingly important for people travelling in the UK.  Meeting the requirements of this scheme therefore not only benefits the environment but also the businesses who get involved.”

The businesses that have been successful in getting the GTBS accreditation include bed and breakfast provider Cobden Farm in the Sabden Valley near Clitheroe.  The farm’s owners have taken a number of environmental measures including recycling as much waste as possible, using eco products for cleaning and washing clothes and using low energy light bulbs, recycled paper and bin bags.

Another Green Tourism success story is Grisedale Farm B&B at Leighton near Carnforth.  Their environmental measures include setting up their own recycling system for all glass, plastic bottles, tin cans and newspapers.  They shop locally to reduce their carbon footprint and support local retailers.   

The owners rescued 18 battery hens, giving them an improved life, and providing fresh eggs for the B&B.  In addition, they are helping with the restoration of the reed beds at Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve to improve the habitat of the Bittern, one of Britain’s rarest birds.

Samlesbury Hall near Preston will also be receiving the GTBS award for their success as a sustainable tourism business.  This splendid 14th Century Manor House includes a gallery and shop where people can sample Lancashire’s finest, from locally produced food and drink to creative art and design.  There is also a wildflower maze, a miniature farm and a kitchen garden where organic produce is grown.

There are now a total of 33 businesses in Lancashire in the GTBS and the Lancashire Green Tourism Project aims to help at least 35 more businesses achieve the accreditation by 2011.

In addition, the Project plans to create 6 new tourism business clusters in the Forest of Bowland AONB, further developing sustainable tourism in the area and complementing the area’s high quality environment and protected area status. Business clusters will include guided walks, Tramper vehicles for people with limited mobility and the ‘Bowland Experience’.

Contact for press information is: Hetty Byrne, Forest of Bowland AONB, Sustainable Tourism Officer [email protected]

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